New York, March 9, 2010 - For 2,000 years, Judaism has treated
Jews-by-choice the same as Jews-by-birth. We are taught "as soon as a convert
emerges from the mikvah (ritual bath) she
or he is Jewish for all purposes." (Talmud, Yevamot 47b)
For 62 years, since its founding, the State of Israel, through
the Law of Return, has welcomed Jews from around the world as citizens in the
world's only Jewish state.
Today, legislation before the Knesset - a bill sponsored by MK
David Rotem of Yisrael Beitenu that addresses both the authority of the Chief
Rabbinate and matters of conversion - threatens both of those sacred principles.
This legislation will certainly reopen one of the most divisive
battles in the Jewish community. The proposed legislation will lead to a
situation in which Jews-by-choice would be treated differently and denied
recognition as Jews under the Law of Return, in direct contradiction of Israeli
Supreme Court rulings. Additionally, it may lead to the delegitimization of all
non-orthodox conversions performed outside of the State of Israel.
Our concern is neither partisan nor denominational, but emanates
from true love of Medinat
Yisrael and Klal
Yisrael (the State and people of Israel). With the unity of the
Jewish people foremost in our thoughts and prayers, we urge the government and
the Knesset to affirm core principles of that unity when enacting any
legislation. We call upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister
Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to withstand the pressures of
a small segment of the political spectrum and to do what is best for all Jewish
people everywhere.
The Reform Movement calls upon the State of Israel to treat all
religious streams of Judaism fairly and equally, a cause that is far from
realization. We call upon the Knesset to reject this partisan attack on the
majority of American Jews. Finally, we call upon the Israeli people to join with
us in an effort to help Israel live up to its promise as a Jewish and democratic
State.
If Israel wants the support of American Jews, it should accept those who claim to be American Jews. My granddaughter would not be considered Jewish by Israeli Orthodox rabbis although she has been brought up as a Jew and had her Bat Mitzvah. However, her mother has never converted. I say: either accept those Americans who claim their Jewish heritage or those Jews will not support Israel. We are either important to Israel or the minority Orthodox outweigh us. Israel, DECIDE!
This is a disaster, it is for sure going to divide Israel and Disapora Jewry.
Giving all the powers to Orthodox...how Jews b choice would feel? As they are not Jews.
Israel has to stand up against it, is a ''massacre'' !!!
Cape Town, South Africa
Who needs to worry about religious extremists in the Arab world, when we have our extremists in our own midst. Great civilizations have been destroyed from within, rarely from without. Get the message before it is too late.
I understand Bibi has proposed that non-Jews have to take a loyalty oath to "pledge loyalty to the nation-state of the Jewish People". I wholeheartedly agree that this would be a step in the right direction. While Israel continues to debate the topic over accepting converts into the Jewish religion, no one can deny the importance of the security and nationalism for the Holy Land of the Jewish People.
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